There is another mode of practice which has been exhibited to some extent in almost every part of the world, claiming to be more efficacious and successful than any other in the cure of epidemic cholera. It is the general principle which is the great and important consideration with which we are concerned in presenting it among the various modes adopted for the cure of this disease. This is found clearly defined and ably presented by Dr. Joslin in his lecture on cholera, in which, after exhibiting the views and doctrines governing the practice, and contrasting its results with those of other modes, he observes, in relation to the treatment of cholera in its early stages, that "whatever may be the form of attack, give one drop of the tincture of camphor dropped on a lump of sugar, and then dissolved in a table-spoonful of cold water. Repeat this every five minutes until there is a decided mitigation of the symptoms. This will usually be after five or six doses. If the disease be taken in time, ten or twelve doses are ordinarily sufficient. There is abundant testimony of the efficacy of this camphor treatment from all parts of Europe." Again, speaking of the first variety, in which the most prominent symptom is diarrhœa, the Dr. observes, "If camphor does not soon give relief, we are to resort to phosphorus, or to phosphoric acid. Dr. Quinn has employed both with equal success. Phosphoric acid is to be preferred when there is a gluey matter on the tongue. In some cases, veratrum, chamomilla, mercurius, or secale may be indicated. However, phosphorus and phosphoric acid rarely fail to cure; and some high authorities are in favor of giving one of them at first, in preference to the administration of camphor in this form of cholera."

Again, in the second variety, cholera gastrica, Dr. Joslin observes, that "the remedies are generally ipecacuanha or veratrum, sometimes nux vomica. Camphor is to be given at the outset. Put two or three globules of the third of ipecac. in a little sugar of milk and place them on the tongue. This may be repeated, if necessary, in half an hour, an hour, or an hour and a half. But if the disease is not checked, give veratrum or other medicines according to the different indications." Again, in the third variety, cholera spasmodica, "the remedies are camphor, cuprum metallicum, and veratrum. If camphor has not relieved, give cuprum, and repeat it many times, at intervals of half an hour or an hour, if its salutary effect is not manifested. If necessary, then give veratrum in repeated doses, or other medicines, according to the different indications." In the fourth variety, cholera sicca, "there is no diarrhœa or vomiting; there is sudden prostration of the vital powers," etc. "The first remedy, as in other varieties, is camphor. If the patient is cold, blue, pulseless, that is, collapsed, carbo vegetabilis; some recommend hydrocyanic acid." In the fifth variety, cholera acuta, veratrum is named as the main remedy.

Such is, in brief, the treatment so highly extolled and recommended by some in the cure of cholera. It is, in substance, the same as was originally suggested when the disease first appeared in Europe, nearly half a century ago, and will probably continue unchanged for generations to come. Of its general principle and its adaptation to the pathology of the disease we shall speak more at length in the sequel.

After referring to the pathology of the epidemic cholera, showing its strong analogy to congestive fever, from the fact that in both diseases the blood recedes from the surface, and collects upon the internal organs, inducing a state of congestion, and showing the necessity of adopting prompt and efficient means to promote reaction, Dr. Massie observes, "I am not so bigoted, or so wedded to any system of medicine, as to be its champion to the exclusion of others. I consider I have a perfect right to investigate all of the different systems, and avail myself of any information which I may deem important and true, and I will premise by saying that the treatment I now adopt for cholera has been attended with more success than when I treated it under a different system."

"If I am called at an early period of the disease, even when there is nausea, vomiting, and diarrhœa, I commence the treatment by giving equal parts of rhubarb root pulverized, saleratus, and peppermint plant powdered; one pint of boiling water being added to half an ounce of this compound. After simmering it for half an hour, sweeten with loaf sugar and strain, and, when nearly cold, two or three table-spoonsful of good French brandy should be added. Give two table-spoonsful of this, taken warm, in connection with the following preparation, viz.: ℞. Pulverized cinnamon, cloves, and gum guaiacum, each one ounce, good brandy one quart, given in two tea-spoonsful to a table-spoonful every fifteen or twenty minutes to an adult."

"The patient should be well covered with warm clothing, and bottles of hot water, bricks and stones placed around his body. This course is almost sure to be followed by a moderate moisture of the skin, which should be kept up for eight or ten hours; to do which, I give ptisans of catnip or spearmint, and apply hot tincture of Cayenne by flannel cloths over the abdomen; if this fails to keep up the perspiration, I administer the following: ℞. Camphor, grs. x.; Ipecac., grs. v.; Opium, grs. ijss; Supercarbonate of soda, ℈ ij. Mix, and divide into two, three, or more powders; give one every hour, or oftener."

"In very urgent cases, I have used tincture of camphor, ℥ iv; essence of peppermint, ℥ iv; syrup of ginger, ℥ ss; tincture of Cayenne, ʒ j. A table-spoonful, from one to four in an hour. I have given the saturated tincture of prickly ash, with the compound tincture of guaiacum, with good effect, in doses from a tea-spoonful to a table-spoonful every fifteen or twenty minutes. When there is excessive irritability of the stomach, the following injection should be given after every discharge: ℞. Saturated tincture of prickly ash, ℥ ss; water, ℥ j; tincture opii, ʒ ss. Mix." Such are the views of Dr. Massie, as presented in his Treatise on the Eclectic Southern Practice of Medicine. They are confirmatory of the observations and experience of many other eminent practitioners, and strictly accord with his views of the pathology and essential phenomena of the disease.

We find in a very valuable work, entitled the Eclectic Practice of Medicine, published at Cincinnati by Professors Powel and Newton, a full account of the mode of practice generally adopted and pursued by the great body of physicians in the West, the substance of which we are induced here to present, preserving, as far as practicable, the language of the authors. For our inquiries are, What are the modes of practice? and what modes, if any, are consistent with the pathology and the essential phenomena of the disease? Each mode, however prominent or however obscure, is entitled to a fair representation in our inquiries, and should be held responsible for its deviations from the strict and generally received principles of science, and the consequences arising from any such deviations, or departure therefrom.

"When called upon," say these eminent professors, "to treat a patient in the early stage of the disease, he should at once be placed in a recumbent position, and everything should be avoided which will have a tendency to disturb the mind, as well as the stomach and bowels. In the greater part of cases in this early stage, the administration of the compound pills of camphor, made according to the following formula, is sufficient to prevent a further development of the disease:

℞.Camphor, āā., gr. xxxv.
Opium,
Kino,
Capsicum, gr. v.
Conserve of roses, Q. S.—Mix.